Resource and Learning site for those who are learning to speak Haitian Creole.

Bonjou! Learn to Speak Haitian Creole

Bonjou! ...Mèsi! ...E Orevwa! Check out our Audio bits. Do as many exercises as you need. Take an online QUIZ and get your answers right away. Finish a crossword puzzle. Reinforce your learning with the Audio/Video exercises. Search for English or Haitian Creole words translation. Also search the whole site for expressions, idioms and grammar rules. And ask questions about the language in the ASK QUESTIONS HERE section.

In Trinidad we actually dont call it Creole tho- we call it Patois, or French Patois. The word "creole" in everyday trinidadian is used to refer to people of African or African mixed descent, or their culture, but that's an old usage.

Trinidadian Patios, Haitian Creole, and St. Lucian Creole are very similar though - they are basically the same language - Trinidad was never colonized by the French, but the Spanish allowed the French from other islands to settle in Trinidad - this they did, coming from Haiti esp around the time of the Haitian revolution, as well as from other french speaking islands at the time (like st/ Lucia). Trinidadian Patois and Creole are the same language that was spoken by the Africans who were transported thru the islands along with the french slavers. As an example - one of the most famous villages in Trinidad for its french heritage - Lopinot, is named after a Haitian white soldier and plantation owner who fled Haiti, along with his slaves, stopped off in st. Lucia before eventually settling in Trinidad.

At this point in time, get a Haitian Creole language learning book, and also a Creole-English/English-Creole dictionary. Bring them with you. You'll have plenty of time within that year to learn from the natives.

Sometimes, I tell people it's more like putting an emphasis or accentuation.

Mwen la wi.

I'm here yes I am.

Li pa la non.

He's not home,no he's not.

Ban m sa non.

Give it to me, wouldn' t you.

M pa pi mal non.

I'm not too bad no I'm not.

M te sonje w wi.

I missed you yes I did.

I have some non-Creole speaking friends who actually went around a whole day adding a "yes" after each positive sentences they uttered, and a "no" after each negative sentences. Mezanmi! Sa te komik! ☺

Not much difference. Se (from French C'est which means It is/This is) doesn't really belong there (in front of the question). But, H. Creole speakers use it anyway. You will find this inquisitive se before any non-yes/no →Eske questions. Go ahead and try it. Check out the following examples And then you may use it when you talk to your Haitian friends :)